Diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy: effect of low-intensity laser therapy

Lasers Med Sci. 2011 Nov;26(6):831-5. doi: 10.1007/s10103-011-0977-z. Epub 2011 Aug 19.

Abstract

Low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) has been considered as a treatment modality in diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP). The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of LILT on DSP. We examined 107 subjects with type 2 diabetes for detection of DSP using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). Seventeen subjects were eligible to be enrolled in the study. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed in all eligible subjects as an objective method to confirm neuropathy. The participants received LILT three times a week for ten sessions. NCSs were reevaluated after completion of the treatment. The absolute changes in NCS parameters were considered to establish the effectiveness of the treatment. Baseline demographics were similar in all participants. The mean differences of NCV parameters were considered for comparison. At the end of the study, the subjects showed a significant increase in neural potential amplitudes (p < 0.05). This study clearly demonstrated a significant positive effect of LILT on improvement of nerve conduction velocity on diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP). This finding supports the therapeutic potential of LILT in DSP.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / diagnosis
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Low-Level Light Therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction / radiation effects
  • Peroneal Nerve / physiopathology
  • Peroneal Nerve / radiation effects
  • Sural Nerve / physiopathology
  • Sural Nerve / radiation effects
  • Tibial Nerve / physiopathology
  • Tibial Nerve / radiation effects
  • Treatment Outcome